Former Australian Open semifinalist, Patrick McEnroe has ranked Roger Federer as the overwhelming favorite to win a sixth title at Melbourne Park.
McEnroe, a former World No. 28, claimed Federer is moving as beautifully as he has ever done on the court and playing some of the most amazing tennis even at the age of 36. And with question marks hanging around the fitness of his chief rivals, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Stan Wawrinka, it would not be wise to bet against the Swiss superstar.
Patrick is also doubtful if any of the young guys, including Alexander Zverev of Germany could trouble the 19-time Major champ especially when he is playing that well.
“I tell you, it’s amazing,” McEnroe said. “You turn on the TV, I watch the Hopman Cup, I see Federer. It’s just amazing. He just keeps doing it. He looks younger than ever. He’s moving as beautifully as ever. He’s hitting the ball brilliantly. Wins four or five matches at the Hopman Cup against high-level competition. To me, he’s the clear favorite.”
“You have Rafa [Nadal] who has some injury problems. Obviously [Novak] Djokovic is a major question mark as far as where he is. The other guys are guys that haven’t broken through. Stan is a huge question mark coming off the injury, Wawrinka. Then you look at [Grigor] Dimitrov, [David] Goffin, some of those guys, [Alexander] Zverev, is he ready to step up?”
“I’ve got to tell you, I don’t see anybody that I think right now, if they’re playing Roger in the semi-finals or finals of a major… He could always get picked off early, and then it becomes a little more wide open. But based on what I’ve seen so far, sort of what we saw not just last year but even the tail end of last year, I don’t think there’s anybody else that you could say is a favorite other than Roger at the moment.”
